Simulation of microcrack initiation in nanocomposite ceramic tool materials

Abstract

In this work, the microcrack initiation behavior of nanocomposite ceramic tool materials caused by the residual stress initiated during the cooling stage is simulated by means of a micromechanical model based on the Voronoi tessellation and the cohesive element theory. Influences of microstructure morphologies such as nanoparticle size, nanoparticle volume content and microstructure types on the microcrack distribution and material properties are analyzed respectively. The conclusions are useful for providing theoretical basis for the development of nanocomposite ceramic tool materials.